wallace



Aug. 20, 1957 J D. WALLACE 2,803,808

TRANSDUCER EILEIVIENLI MOUNTING Filed Sept. 19, 1952 United StatesPatent Gfifice 2,803,808 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 TRANSDUCER ELEMENTMOUNTING John D. Wallace, Oreland, Pa. Application September 19, 1952,Serial No. 310,571 5 Claims. (Cl. 340-11) (Granted under Title 35, U. S.Code (1952), see. 266) The invention herein described may bemanufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States ofAmerica for governmental purposes without the payment of any royaltiesthereon or therefor.

The present invention relates to magnetostrictive transducers and moreparticularly to devices for mounting and assembling transducer elements.

Mounting and assembly of piston-type transducer elements have previouslybeen accomplished by gluing a plastic end cap on the edges of suchelements. Alignment was attained by having a projection on the end capsfit into recesses in a mounting ring. This endcap method of alignmentplaced the plastic load along the edge of the elements and in such aposition so as to clamp the vibration of the element. In order toreplace an element using the aforementioned mounting, the mounting ringmust first be removed. Removal of this ring disturbed all the elementsthereby requiring realignment of the elements. The electrical connectorsto the elements were threaded through the end caps and mounting n'ng.Said connectors required breaking for all the elements to allow removalof the mounting ring.

In order to overcome the disadvantages enumerated above, it is an objectof the present invention to provide a mounting wherein theabove-described defects are eliminated.

Another object is to provide a device for mounting transducer elementssecurely and easily, wherein single elements can be removed withoutdisturbing the remaining ones.

Still another object is to provide a mounting device for transducerelements wherein alignment is automatic.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features anddetails of construction and operation thereof are hereinafter more fullyset forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawing inwhich like numbers refer to like parts.

Scanning sonar transducers require a large number of magnetostrictiveelements for proper operation. Space requirements and means forsupporting the many elements present a severe problem. Since the spacingof the elements should be approximately a half-wave length, saidelements must be packed close to each other leaving little space forsupporting the elements by placing heavy structures between them. Then,too, the inside ends of the elements must be free to vibratenecessitating a support to be applied at the nodal plane of theelements.

One method of constructing and mounting transducer elements isillustrated in this invention. The drawing is a partial-pictorial viewof a portion of the invention showing two magnetostrictive elements 1bearing against pressure-releasing backing 3. Windings 5 are placed onthe magnetostrictive elements as indicated in the drawing. Said elementsare constructed in the form of a laminated stack having hips 7 locatedat the nodal plane of the elements. Said pressure-releasing materiallocated between the base of the stack and a supporting shell or base 9must act as an etlicient pressure release to the mechanical vibrationsset up at the bottom end of the stack.

Holding members 11 made of plastic or other suitable material can beaccurately molded or machined to conform with hips 7 of magnetostrictiveelements 1. Said holding members serve to hold elements 1 againstpressure releasing material 3. Alignment blocks 13 are notched at thetop to conform with holders 11 and are fixedly mounted at the bottom ingrooves in supporting base 9. The height of said alignment blocks issuch as to allow members 11 to hold elements 1 securely againstpressure-release material 3. Caps 15 are mounted over the ends ofholders 11 when in recesses 19 in alignment blocks 13 thereby retainingsaid holders in the recesses and against hips 7 of elements 1. Retainingscrews 17 in caps 15 prevent said caps from becoming disengaged fromblocks 13. Alignment of magnetostrictive elements 1 is accomplished byproperly machining slots 19 in alignment blocks 13 so that holders 11are slidable in said slots and mate with hips 7 on the elements 1.

A magnetostrictive element 1 can be replaced by removing two alignedcaps 15 on each side of said element. Removal of said caps permitsholders 11 to be slid out of recesses 19 thereby freeing the element 1from restrainment without disturbing the remaining elements. A newelement 1 can then be substituted for the removed one and aligned withno difiiculty since holders 11 mate with elements 1 and recesses 19 inblocks 13.

From the foregoing description and illustration it is apparent that thepresent invention provides means for assembling a transducer in a jigand then placing said transducer in a housing of suitable design. Singlemagnetostrictive elements can be easily removed or replaced withoutdisturbing the remaining of said elements is automatic.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed herein, it is not intended that the invention be limited tosuch disclosure, but that changes and modifications can be made andincorporated within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed:

1. A mounting for maintaining transducer elements in alignmentcomprising a base for supporting magnetostrictive elements, alignmentblocks supported by said base, and holding means cooperative with saidblocks for releasably engaging such elements said blocks retaining saidholding means in spaced relationship and spaced from said base.

2. A mounting for maintaining transducer elements in alignmentcomprising a base having channels therein, said base being adapted forsupporting magnetostrictive elements, alignment blocks mounted in thechannels of said base, and holding means parallel to said basecooperative with said blocks for releasably engaging such elements saidblocks retaining said holding means in parallel and parallel to saidbase.

3. A mounting for maintaining transducer elements in alignmentcomprising a base having channels therein, said base being adapted forsupporting magnetostrictive elements, alignment blocks mounted in thechannels of said base, said blocks having slots therein, and transversestrip holders, said holders being adapted for slidable movement withinsaid slots for releasably holding such magnetostrictive elements inalignment said blocks retaining said holders in said slots in paralleland parallel to said base.

4. A mounting for maintaining transducer elements in alignmentcomprising a base having channels therein, said base being adapted forsupporting magnetostrictive elements, alignment blocks mounted in the:channels of said base, said blocks having slots therein, transverseelements and alignment 7 strip holders being adapted for slidablemovement Within said slots parallel to said base for releasably holdingsuch magnetostrictive elements in alignment at their nodal plane saidblocks retaining said holders in said slots in parallel and parallel tosaid base.

v 5. A mounting for maintaimng transducer elements in alignmentcomprising a base having channels therein, said base being adapted forsupporting magnetostrictive elements, alignment blocks having slotstherein parallel to said base, said blocks perpendicularly mounted inthe 10 channels of said base, transverse strip holders being adapted forslidable movement within said slots for re- 'mounted on said blocks forsealing said holder strips in 5 the slots of said blocks.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,398,117 ,Rost Apr. 9, 1946 2,515,154 Lamphier July 11, 1950 2,550,771Camp May 1, 1951

